Abstract: The present invention provides, in certain aspects, a method of identifying a subject as having an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis, comprising detecting in the subject the presence of a nucleotide variant in the interleukin 7 receptor alpha chain gene, whereby the presence of said variant identifies the subject as having an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in the elderly whose etiology remains largely unknown. Previous studies identified chromosome 1q32 as harboring a susceptibility locus for AMD, but it was not identified. We identified a strongly associated haplotype in two independent data sets. DNA sequencing of the complement factor II gene (CFII) within this haplotype revealed a coding variant, Y402II, that significantly increases the risk for AMD with odds ratios between 2.45 and 5.57. This identifies Complement factor II as involved in pathogenesis of AMD. This single variant alone is so common that it likely explains 43 percent of AMD in older adults. In addition, we have replicated and refined previous reports implicating a coding change in LOC387715 as the second major AMD susceptibility allele. The effect of rs10490924 appears to be completely independent of the Y402H variant in the CFH gene.

Abstract: The invention generally concerns methods and compositions for screening individuals for susceptibility to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In particular, association with the various markers including complement factor H, LOC387717/ARMS2, C2/CFB, C3 and VEGF, indicates that a subject is at risk of AMD.

Abstract: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in the elderly whose etiology remains largely unknown. Previous studies identified chromosome 1q32 as harboring a susceptibility locus for AMD, but it was not identified. We identified a strongly associated haplotype in two independent data sets. DNA sequencing of the complement factor II gene (CHI) within this haplotype revealed a coding variant, Y402II, that significantly increases the risk for AMD with odds ratios between 2.45 and 5.57. This identifies Complement factor II as involved in pathogenesis of AMD. This single variant alone is so common that it likely explains 43 percent of AMD in older adults. In addition, we have replicated and refined previous reports implicating a coding change in LOC387715 as the second major AMD susceptibility allele. The effect of rs10490924 appears to be completely independent of the Y402II variant in the CFH gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in certain aspects, a method of identifying a subject as having an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis, comprising detecting in the subject the presence of a nucleotide variant in the interleukin 7 receptor alpha chain gene, whereby the presence of said variant identifies the subject as having an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: Methods of screening a subject for Alzheimer's disease comprise detecting the presence or absence of a marker or functional polymorphism associated with a gene linked to Alzheimer's disease. The presence of such a functional polymorphism indicates that the subject is afflicted with or at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of screening a subject for Alzheimer's disease and/or Parkinson's disease comprising detecting the presence or absence of a marker or functional polymorphism associated with a gene linked to Alzheimer's disease and/or Parkinson's disease.